Somebody asked me an interesting question the other day. Does happiness change with age?
According to research, happiness does change with age. As children, we begin life happy, but around the time we become adults, happiness declines, reaching a low point in our 40s. After age 50, happiness begins to rise again.
This “U-shaped curve of happiness” was the findings of a landmark study conducted in 2008 by a UK economist and researcher, Andrew Oswald. The study interviewed half a million people in 72 countries.
There was another large study conducted by psychologists at the University of California that followed 2,800 people for 23 years charting their emotional well-being. The results released in 2001 found that the older people got, the happier they were.
It’s not surprising that children are happy, or that happiness declines in mid-life as the responsibility and stress of finding a job, raising a family, paying bills, and career demands weigh on people.
What is surprising perhaps, is that happiness increases after the age of 50, despite the fact that older people often face physical hardships and challenges. There are many theories as to why happiness increases with age.
Some researchers and studies chalk it up to positivity bias. As we age, our memories become rose-coloured—we remember the happier aspects of life. There is an interesting study of 300 nuns who were interviewed in 1987 and then asked the same questions again in 2001. The oldest nuns had more positive memories the second time they were interviewed compared to the first time.
Other studies have shown that the physical changes that happen to the brain as we age also contribute to positivity bias.
Another theory is that older adults are more satisfied with their lives because they simply want to enjoy life and they are at a stage in their life when they can finally do so. They have less stress than they had in their 20s, 30s and 40s. Older adults also tend to be less critical of themselves and focus more on doing things that make them feel good rather than trying to get ahead, or acquire knowledge or things.
While all of these theories and studies are interesting, I believe it is something more fundamental. As we age, our definition of happiness, and what makes us happy changes. We stop chasing hedonistic pleasures and start seeking a quieter happiness, filled with peace, purpose, and connection.
How has happiness changed for you as you’ve aged? Leave a comment.
Photo: This is a picture of me on a very happy day doing what I love and finding peace on a hike in Newfoundland.
